By Sanath Weerasuriya

Attractions and places of interest may change from time to time, but traditions will ever live. Destination Kandy is a year-round attraction for travellers around the world, packed with new appeals backed by century old traditions.

Hotel Suisse is just a classic example for old world charm. This 165 years old colonial structure, rising amidst three acres of landscaped splendour, is ideally located right beside the historic ‘Kiri Muhuda’, popularly known as Kandy Lake. The customs and practices at Suisse has never changed since its inception making it the most sought after hotel in Kandy.

Hotel Suisse, a pre-World War II guest house and once used as a garrison for British soldiers, was the last strong hold of the ancient Sinhala Kings. The building was originally the residence of Pilimatala Gabada Nilame, the Chief Minister of the Royal Granary of the Kandyan King.

After decades, Suisse Hotel has returned to the traditional Granary scene at their abandoned backyard as ‘Mountbatten Courtyard’. Since January this year, Hotel Suisse has recreated its aged old traditions from ‘Kamatha’ and ‘Granary’ concept as the ‘Mountbatten Courtyard’ serving organic village food. The abandoned old armoury is now a modern winery complex in the midst of organic vegetable and fruit cultivation.

‘We have recreated this ‘kamatha’ and traditional wood fired village kitchen next to modern winery and organic farm that provides the all-vegetable and fruits to the village kitchen. We serve the traditional Kandyan cuisine prepare at this kitchen to our guests in al fresco style open dining area’ explained Ranjan Peiris, General Manager of Hotel Suisse and the Vice President of Kandy Hotels Company.

Since lately, this ‘Mountbatten Courtyard’ has attracted major portion of Sri Lankans and foreign tourists visiting Hotel Suisse.

‘It opens for breakfast up to dinner giving the real flavours of authentic Kandyan cuisine. Bar be que style servings and traditional camp fire type atmosphere is created during the dinner time’ added Ranjan Peiris.

Designed to cater exclusively to the holiday makers and leisure travellers, the hotel has 90 breathtaking old traditional style large smoke-free rooms including four suites and four junior suites. Some of them come with free wireless internet along with a minibar and coffee/tea making facilities. They have colonial-style interior. Certain units overlook the garden and the pool, the East wing overlooks the lake.

The hotel is now undergoing a series of refurbishment programmes. ‘Mainly because of the inflow of tourists at present and in view of Avurudu, the Bradby and Perehera seasons to follow’ said Ranjan, one of the veterans in the hospitality industry.

Apart from the popular ‘Mountbatten Courtyard’, hotel offers international and global cuisine in its traditional English style main restaurant. It takes pride in the gourmet food, prepared by the hotel’s experienced chefs Sarath Rathnathunga and Priyantha Gunasinghe.

Keeping with all the traditions, the culinary experience of Hotel Suisse too is authentic. Whether it is Sri Lankan, English, Swiss, Italian or Chinese the Chefs keeps the traditions alive.

‘The Hotel also offers theme nights to keep guests’ changing appetite’ Chef Sarath said. Indian, Mongolian, Italian, BBQ Night, Hopper Night, International Night and Chinese are some of the popular theme nights.

Hotel Suisse is the ideal base to visit many adventurous and historical sites such as centuries old Buddhist Temples and devalas (Degaldoruwa, Lankathilake, Gadaladeniya, Ambekke, Dodanwala Natha Devalaya etc), the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala, Victoria, Randenigala reservoirs, historic Mahiyangana, Ambuluwawa, Tea Museum in Hantane and of course the popular Knuckles Range.

Hotel Suisse operates under the management of Galle Face Hotel Management (GFHMC)

‘Hotel Suisse is considered as one of the best properties under the GFHM Company and the Chairman Sanjeewa Gardiner is taking keen interest of this property. He always guides and encourage in doing things with this hotel’ Ranjan said.

Hotel Suisse has a special package for
Sri Lankan holiday makers. For more details log onto www.hotelsuisse.lk or
call 0812224907.

 

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